SOME aggrieved women in the Uba-Oka Akoko community in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest to condemn the incessant killings by suspected Herdsmen in the area, calling on the government to salvage them from the invaders.
Their clamour follows the recent murder of a farmer called Sunday Ayeni on his farm in the community.
The corpse of Ayeni was found on his farm, with machete wounds and his intestines exposed, indicating that he was brutally stabbed to death by his attackers.
The incident occurred just a few days after the deceased received monetary compensation for his farm, which was destroyed by cows allegedly belonging to herdsmen in the area.
A resident of the community who preferred anonymity revealed that Ayeni’s farm was destroyed by herdsmen last week. However, the situation was resolved by security agents and community elders, who intervened and facilitated the payment of an undisclosed amount of money as compensation to Ayeni by the herdsmen.
During the protest, the women, who were half-naked and without head ties, trekked to the palace of the traditional ruler of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye, chanting various solidarity songs.
The protesters also accuse the Herdsmen of raping women on their farmlands and destroying their crops.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting women, Abigail Ojo narrated their ordeal, stating that they had practically abandoned their farms due to fear of being attacked by the Herdsmen.
Ojo stated thus“We call on security agencies to help find lasting solutions to our problems. We are protesting to let the government know our plight.”
The Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, SP ‘Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya in her reaction to the development stated that police investigations have since commenced on the killings, expressing hope that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended and brought to justice.
